I wanted to take this opportunity to clarify that these reports related to the apprenticeships systems in England only. Here in Wales we have developed our own distinct, high quality work-based learning (WBL) programmes to meet the needs of our economy and workforce.

As the recently launched Jobs Growth Wales programme demonstrates, we are taking our own approach here to getting our young people into work and increasing the skills of our workforce.

Our apprenticeship programme has been developed to meet the specific needs of the Welsh economy and workforce. It has three major objectives:

enabling entrants into the labour market to gain portable skills, equipping them for a successful future;

providing up-skilling opportunities to the current workforce;

delivering skills that aid and drive economic development across Wales.

To help achieve this I want to ensure an apprenticeship certificate is recognised and valued by all as an endorsement of the skills, professionalism and ambition of our country within the global economy.

We have developed specific Welsh apprenticeship solutions to balance the supply of highly skilled apprentices with the demands of employers and the future needs of the economy.

One such solution is the Welsh Government’s Pathways to Apprenticeship programme, which is designed to create high quality apprenticeship opportunities for young people.

This is a one-year, full-time, intensive training programme that delivers underpinning knowledge, work experience skills and qualifications leading to an apprenticeship.

In addition, we have created an apprenticeship matching service to pair young people with employers’ apprenticeship vacancies.

Other solutions recently developed include: shared apprenticeship schemes within specific sectors and the introduction of flexible apprenticeship provision to support those over-19 where individuals are unable undertake a full apprenticeship with the current employer.

We are also working to stimulate the demand for apprenticeships by providing direct support to employers, via our Young Recruits programme. This programme offers a wage subsidy to eligible employers who create new or additional apprenticeship places for 16 to 24-year-olds. And from this month there will be 2,000 new places available through this scheme.

In the short-term, we will retain the all-age apprenticeship programme, but with increasing emphasis on opportunities for under-25s and a renewed focus on our key economic priority sectors.

And we are raising the attainment levels of our apprentices. During 2006-07, 54% achieved a full framework. Current figures show that our WBL framework success rates were 83% and 81% in apprenticeship and foundation apprenticeship programmes respectively.

Many people in all types of professions, including myself, started their working life as apprentices. It is a great way for an individual to develop skills and get training while also gaining that invaluable on the job experience.

So whatever career path people are looking to follow, they need to be aware of the opportunities out there, and to consider an apprenticeship as the first step on that path.

I believe apprenticeships are vital to helping our economy grow and in my role as Deputy Minister for Skills, I will work hard to ensure this Welsh Government continues to deliver apprenticeship policies that are fit for purpose here in Wales.